Toronto, Ontario — A recent analysis from Cambridge Mobile Telematics reveals that Christmas and New Year’s Day are the most distracted driving days of the year.
The study, which examined more than 100 million car trips between 2020 and 2023, states that on average, drivers engage with their phones for 2 minutes and 16 seconds per hour during the Christmas season. However, this number rises to two minutes and 32 seconds on Christmas Day, reflecting a 12.1 percent increase in distracted driving.
CMT defines distracted driving as any screen interaction while travelling over nine miles per hour (approximately 14 kilometres per hour). The organization estimates that the increase in distracted driving on Christmas has led to approximately 2,000 additional crashes, five fatalities, and US$47 million in economic damages over the past three years.
“The trend of heightened distraction during Christmas has persisted, with comparable figures observed in previous years,” reads CMT’s report. “For instance, in 2020, the distraction rate was 2 minutes and 38 seconds on Christmas Day, while 2021 saw an 11.6 percent spike.”
CMT notes there has been a gradual decline in distracted driving during the holiday season since 2020. The average time spent on phones while driving has decreased from two minutes and 38 seconds in 2020 to two minutes and 27 seconds in 2022. Christmas is not only marked by distracted driving but also by speeding. Drivers spend an average of two minutes and 41 seconds speeding in the two weeks surrounding Christmas, with that figure soaring to four minutes and three seconds on Christmas Day—a 51.2 percent increase.
This combination of speeding and distracted driving significantly raises the risk of severe crashes. The IIHS highlights that even a small increase in speed can have catastrophic outcomes. A distracted driver hitting a vehicle at full speed can result in dire consequences, emphasizing the need for vigilance during the holidays.
The patterns of distracted driving vary throughout the day. For instance, on Christmas Day, distraction levels peak at 2 minutes and 36 seconds between 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m., while surrounding days typically see their highest levels around 8:00 p.m.
Early morning distractions on Christmas begin at 8:00 a.m. and remain elevated throughout the day. New Year’s Day exhibits similar trends, with distracted driving peaking at two minutes and 42 seconds between 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
Interestingly, distraction levels are 14.6 percent higher in the early morning hours on New Year’s Day compared to Christmas.
“As we enter the holiday season, drivers must remain aware of these trends,” concludes the report. “The combination of increased distraction and speeding during Christmas and New Year’s poses significant risks. By prioritizing safety and minimizing distractions, we can work together to reduce the number of accidents and ensure a safer holiday driving experience for everyone.”
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